io TREES AND SHRUBS 



decisions on these points. Still it does not follow 

 that a shrub or flowering tree cannot be used both 

 for groups and single use, for such an one as the 

 Forsythia just mentioned is also of charming effect 

 in its own groups, with the red-tinted Berberis or the 

 quiet-coloured Savins, or whatever be the lower grow- 

 ing bushy mass that is chosen to accompany it. 

 Every one can see the great gain of such arrange- 

 ments when they are made, but to learn to make 

 them, and even to perceive what are the plants to 

 group together, and why, that is the outcome of the 

 education of the garden artist. 



In the Royal Gardens, Kew, the best of plants 

 may be seen and, to a considerable degree, the best 

 ways of using them in gardens. 



The one-thing-at-a-time planting is always a safe 

 guide, but as the planter gains a firmer grasp of his 

 subject, so he may exercise more freedom in its 

 application. Nearly every garden, shrubbery, and 

 ornamental tree plantation is spoilt or greatly marred 

 by too great a mixture of incongruous growths. 

 Nothing wants more careful consideration. On the 

 ground in the open air, and sitting at home quietly 

 thinking, the question should be carefully thought out. 

 The very worst thing to do is to take a nursery 

 catalogue and make out from it a list of supposed 

 wants. The right thing is to make a plan of the 

 ground, to scale, if possible, though a rougher one 

 may serve, and mark it all down in good time before- 

 hand, not to wait until the last moment and then 

 mark it ; and not to send the list to the nursery till 



